"Alas! lieutenant, I cannot say," said Bourrienne, shaking his head
sadly.

"What," continued Napoleon, "is the good of anything?"

"I give it up," returned Bourrienne, with a sigh. "I never was good
at riddles. What IS the good of anything?"

"Nothing!" said Napoleon, laconically, as he took off his uniform and
went to bed.



CHAPTER IV: SARDINIA--TOULON--NICE--PARIS--BARRAS--JOSEPHINE
1793-1796



Greatness now began to dawn for Napoleon. Practically penniless, in
a great and heartless city, even the lower classes began to perceive
that here was one before whom there lay a brilliant future.
Restaurateurs, laundresses, confectioners--all trusted him. An
instance of the regard people were beginning to have for him is shown
in the pathetic interview between Napoleon and Madame Sans Gene, his
laundress.

"Here is your wash, lieutenant," said she, after climbing five
flights of stairs, basket in hand, to the miserable lodging of the
future Emperor.